The Dialego
I woke up to a searing headache. No big surprise there, since I had probably gotten only an hour of sleep. The most important day of my life and I feel like a zombie. Typical, just typical.
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and shuffled over to the window... and just like that all the excitement and adrenaline that had kept me awake for most of the night came rushing back. Today was the Dialego. Today, the lives of eight average eighteen-year-olds were about to change forever.
Putting on the first clothes I saw, I sprinted out into the bustling lane... and was almost gored by a minotaur. I stared in wonder at the intricate statue. Dozens more lined the street. Apparently, statues of the Beasts had been erected overnight – gigantic minotaurs, dragons, centaurs, demons, griffins, faeries... all the creatures you could name and thousands more besides. Avalon may not be as rich as the Primeval (the ruling city of our realm, the Prime), but we could certainly make for it in spirit. A group of children ran past me waving a huge banner between them. Large bold letters were scrawled across it: WELCOME CITIZENS TO THE DIALEGO! ALL CITIZENS MUST BE PRESENT AT CENTRAL HALL BY 7AM SHARP. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY FOR ALL. WE WISH OUR CANDIDATES THE VERY BEST OF LUCK!
Ten minutes to seven. With a quick pat on the minotaur's horn, I ran towards the Hall.
In case you're wondering, my name is Katniss Everdeen. I am eighteen years old. I live in Avalon, one of the eight primal cities in our realm. Once every three years, the cities host the Dialego – a ceremony where an eighteen-year-old boy or girl from each city is chosen as a member of the Mageia. Now here's the best bit: the beasts I was talking about earlier? They aren't just for decoration. They're real. And the candidates are the guys who are meant to bond with them. I'll warn you now, if you were expecting warm and fuzzy, then my story isn't for you.
Welcome to the Prime.
I entered the Hall with literally seconds to spare. The whole city had turned up to watch the most important event in the realm, so naturally, there were more than a few mutters when I pushed my way towards the candidate stands. The eighteen – year – olds were kept separate from their families – something about emotion making the choosing process harder than it already was. I didn't really care either way; partly because I had no family.
My parents had been killed sixteen years ago when I was still a toddler. I had been told the story many times: It had happened when the three of us were driving home from my Aunt Callida's house. It was a stormy night and we were driving bridge across the Rau River. They had found my parents corpses in the water the next morning; apparently part of the bridge had collapsed under the combined pressure and the car had fallen in. By some miracle they had found me bobbing among the debris... and I was alive. Want to know the saddest part? I remember absolutely nothing of the whole event. I don't have a single memory of my parents before the accident.
'Hey, Everdeen,' called out a voice from the throng of candidates.
I recognized the user immediately and a smile formed on my lips. Gale was the only person I would miss if they chose me today. Not that there was any chance of that happening.
'You're late for my choosing,' he says, with a lopsided grin.
'Technically, I'm not late,' I replied. 'There's still no sign of the escorts.'
Two people, a male, and a female, from the Primeval went to each city to host the Dialego. Their job was to accompany the chosen into the city and, to put it bluntly, make sure that they didn't try to run or kill themselves during the journey.
'Aren't you going to wish me luck?' asked Gale with a smile. Only I could see that the smile didn't reach his eyes.
He's worried, I realized. He thinks that it's already been decided, that they've already chosen him. A prickle of fear ran down my spine.
'It's not decided you know,' I murmured gently. 'And I know you. You have it in you to survive.'
Gale's face softened with warmth.
'Don't. You know it's decided already. They pick the strongest candidates the ones they think possess enough mental and physical power to survive the bond. They basically bred me for this,' he said bitterly.
One glance at his physique and I knew it was true. He was the minister's son, one of the most well – bred boys in Avalon. They'd practically started teaching him the alphabet a week after he was born. Gale had been raised for this.
'You know only half of them survive and sometimes even less. And even if I do survive they won't let me come back. I won't ever see you or father again,' he was talking faster now and there was a wild, frenzied look in his eyes. 'Katniss listen to me! No matter what happens –'
His voice was cut off by the deep sounds of a horn. Three long notes resonated through the Hall, sending vibrations deep within my bones. The escorts had arrived.
They arrived with a kind of grace, wrapped in pristine robes, the traditional dress of the Primeval. Who could tell by looking at those serene faces, that they were about to change a person's life forever? The female stepped forward.
'Good morning dear citizens of Avalon. Today we witness a historical occasion... the 51st Dialego of our realm! As you all know, fifty years ago, during the rise of the Primeval, a contract between the eight cities was forged. Every three years one candidate must be chosen from each city in order to join the Maegia. Today one of your children will be bestowed the honor of protecting our realm!'
This was a practiced speech. It was given every time, just by a different escort.
'Candidates, will you serve?' bellowed the male escort.
Cheers erupted from the crowd and candidates alike.
'Then we shall begin,' replied the escort, taking a tiny square of parchment from his partner.
This was it. They were going to announce the chosen. Please don't let it be Gale, I prayed, to whichever God was listening. I had no anxiety for myself. There was no chance that the Primeval would want a scrawny, orphan girl in their precious Mageia. My heartbeat picked up, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Please, please, please don't let it be Gale. The escort unfolded the parchment and looked up.
'Citizens of Avalon, please give a big hand for Mageia Katniss Everdeen!'
Hey guys! As you can see I've created a whole new world for Peeta and Katniss. As the chapters go on, I intend to elaborate more about the world of Mageia's and the eight cities in the Prime. (You'll find Peeta soon I promise *wink* *wink*) Please tell me what you think with a review... thanks for all your support and happy reading! :)
